If asked the majority of people would say that the garden pond hobby is a relatively new phenomenon. The main reasons for this being its increasing cover on TV and in media circles.
In actual fact it has been around for thousands of years, providing enjoyment and inspiration in peoples day to day and religious activities.
The earliest known examples of water gardens being constructed to enhance lifestyle and stature are from appox 3000BC. Fruit trees and ornamental grasses were used by the ancient egyptians to surround pools of a formal layout in their walled courtyard gardens.
Wealthy Roman homes tended to be designed around a large colonnaded central courtyard with pools, fountains and water features, providing shade on hot afternoons and a means of escape from the often chaotic and dirty streets outside. However, public baths often had a water garden area where the general public could relax away from their daily troubles.
The Moors and Persians produced truly intoxicating water gardens set in enclosed connected courtyards. A formal interconnecting design to seamlessly join the spaces, combined with formal design and an artistry in the selection of the brightly coloured tiles used to build the pools and water courses, gives these gardens a truly exotic and special feel. Ornamental plants and fruit trees were used by the Persians and Moors as well, fastidiously laid out in outstanding formal designs.
Individuals in Japan and China have been perfecting the art of water gardening for thousands of years. There it truly is an art, practised by the masters of the craft. The teachings of zen, harmony, peace of mind and restraint are used to carefully design and create the individual persons ideal of their perfect surroundings. Japanese water gardens chiefly focus on a large, deep and clear pond devoid of plant life but housing any number of attractively colourful koi carp.
Unlike the gardens of the Moors and Egyptians the Japanese garden is not really a place for fruit trees. The position of every tree and flower is carefully contemplated, spiritual comfort and pleasure the only goals.
In Europe over recent centuries only the super rich and royalty could afford the decadence and opulence of ornate water gardens, you need only look at the huge amount of great homes in Europe with extensive watercourses and features.
Its only in the last few decades that we have enjoyed a Water Garden Renaissance, seeing interest expanding and growing as more and more people come to understand how spiritually restful and refreshing a well fashioned water garden can be.
Mark Best writes articles that help people to design and build the Perfect garden Pond for them. And how to choose the right equipment, such as the right Garden Pond Filter for your needs.
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